Menthol is a chemical compound that occurs naturally in peppermint and other mint plants. It can also be synthesized in laboratories. First introduced into tobacco products in the 1920s and 1930s, menthol is known for its ability to reduce the harshness of cigarette smoke and alleviate irritation from nicotine. The 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act granted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority over tobacco products, but notably, menthol was exempted from the ban on characterizing flavors in cigarettes, remaining the only flavor allowed in sufficient quantity to be considered a “characterizing flavor.” Tobacco companies have capitalized on the soothing and cooling properties of menthol to enhance the appeal of cigarettes, particularly to new and younger smokers, as well as specific demographic groups including Black Americans and the LGBTQ community. Marketing efforts for menthol cigarettes have been strategically directed at Black Americans for decades.
Currently, over 18.9 million individuals in the United States smoke menthol cigarettes. Flavored tobacco products, with menthol being a primary flavor, are a significant factor in the initiation of tobacco use among young people.
The Health Impact of Menthol
Inhaling menthol can lessen the sensation of pain and irritation in the airways caused by cigarette smoke. It also acts as a cough suppressant, creating a deceptive feeling of easier breathing for smokers. Despite marketing messages that might imply otherwise, menthol cigarettes do not offer any health advantages over non-menthol cigarettes. In fact, the minty flavor and scent can obscure early warning signs of respiratory issues caused by smoking.
Research indicates that menthol in cigarettes increases both the likelihood of becoming addicted to nicotine and the severity of the addiction. Scientific evidence further suggests that smokers of menthol cigarettes are less likely to successfully quit smoking compared to non-menthol smokers, even though they may express a stronger desire to overcome their dependence on tobacco.
A recent study highlighted the disproportionate harm inflicted by menthol cigarettes on Black Americans. The findings revealed that menthol cigarettes were responsible for an estimated 1.5 million new smokers, 157,000 premature deaths related to smoking, and 1.5 million years of life lost among Black Americans between 1980 and 2018.
Disproportionate Impact on Specific Populations
The tobacco industry’s marketing strategies for menthol cigarettes have specifically targeted certain racial and ethnic groups, particularly Black Americans, since the 1950s. Extensive marketing efforts have also been directed towards the LGBTQ community.
This targeted marketing has resulted in significant disparities:
- Over 80% of Black Americans who smoke use menthol cigarettes.
- Approximately 48% of Hispanic smokers use menthol cigarettes.
- Around 41% of Asian smokers prefer menthol cigarettes.
- Roughly half of youth smokers aged 12-17 smoke menthol cigarettes, a higher percentage than the approximately 40% of adults aged 18 and older who prefer menthols.
- Menthol cigarette use is more prevalent among LGB individuals at 49% compared to 40% among heterosexual individuals.
